10+ Forgotten Secrets From Disney's Aladdin

Who knew this timeless classic had deep, dark secrets?

Elana

• Published in Disney
• September 29, 2017

The magical world of Disney has never really had a shortage of controversy and drama. Going as far back as most of us can there has always been plenty of juicy details to discuss over Disney's tumultuous and fascinating history that extends far beyond the reach of classic love stories and brilliant artistry.

The 1990's animated phenomenon Aladdin is surprisingly no exception to the drama that seems to follow Disney closely and we've managed to unearth a whole plethora of juicy, deep, dark, long-lost secrets surrounding the production of Aladdin, along with just the movie itself.

If you're foaming at the mouth waiting for the live-action remake to hit theaters these fascinating facts and secrets should do a pretty solid job of tiding you over for now! Surely, some of them will blow your mind as well...

1. Jafar and Iago were supposed to be opposites?

The Disney-friendly odd couple that is known as Jafar and Iago have very distinct personalities but many fans will be shocked to learn that the dynamic villainous duo originally possessed each other's traits! Yep, can you imagine Iago's hot temper and constant outbursts but on Jafar? Neither could the minds behind the magic, they decided that Jafar was much more sinister and threatening as a patronizing Brit than a temper-tantrum throwing brat. Iago fit the personality quirk to a T.

2. Jasmine had to audition TWICE

Voice actress Linda Larkin did the voice for the feisty and elegant Princess Jasmine but mid-way through recording for the movie she actually had to re-audition for the role! Why, you ask? Well, Disney studio chief Jeffery Katzenberg found his confidence wavering that Linda's voice was "regal" enough to play Princess Jasmine.

Of course as we know today Linda Larkin must have nailed her re-audition since she finished recording the role in entirety and has found herself a spot in Disney history as an iconic princess.

3. Disney had to get creative to rope in Robin Williams for the role of Genie.

It's unfathomable to envision a version of the animated classic Aladdin without the iconic Robin Williams voicing the Genie but it almost didn't happen! Disney had to get a little sneaky and play to William's interests to rope him in for the role!

To entice the actor, Disney instructed their animation team behind the Genie to animate the character performing lines from Robin William's favorite comedy albums. Catering to his specific interests worked like a charm and appealed to the actor, making the character one of the best in Disney history.

4. The Hollywood hunks behind Aladdin's dashing good looks

If you grew up during the 90's then there's a chance that Aladdin's hunky appearance is pretty familiar, but you probably can't quite put your finger on it, can you? You may be surprised to learn that the inspiration for Aladdin's looks and body came from none other than famous actors Michael J. Fox and Tom Cruise! Now, take another look... you're probably just a pinch less surprised in retrospect. Before I knew this information I never would have guessed, but now I cannot unsee this information!

5. Robin Williams literally changed voice acting

Before Aladdin there were actors and there were voice actors, but the two did not really interchange. While today some of our favorite stars are regularly lending their voices to animated films, it just wasn't heard of prior to Aladdin, let alone for A-list actors like Robin Williams to take on such roles.

When Robin Williams took on the role it essentially ushered in a new era of voice acting talent and opened doors for so many others to give it a go. If it wasn't for Robin Williams taking on the voice role of the Genie (and nailing it) we may not have experienced actors and actresses from Scarlet Johanson to Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin voicing in animated films!

6. Aladdin was the first movie that Disney designed specifically to try and appeal to both children and adults

Basically, the beginning of something incredible in family entertainment!

In 1992 Entertainment Weekly reported that Aladdin was set to release on the very busy Thanksgiving weekend, promising to entertain both children and adults for perhaps the first time in entertainment history. Today we know Disney for appealing to the entire family with humor and appeal to all ages, but prior to Aladdin it was unheard of that the whole family could go see a major motion picture and walk away 100% entertained!

Yet the wise-cracking satire that the writers riddled throughout the film was the perfect set up for engaging multiple generations.

7. We almost had Fraiser voicing for Jafar

While Jonathan Freeman ended up being able to say, "winner, winner, chicken dinner," for landing the role of voicing Jafar, there was a rather impressive list of actors lined up to sweep the role away from him if he had not snagged it including: Kelsey Grammer, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Ian McKellen, and John Hurt!

I'm almost a little sad we didn't get Tim Curry to play the role.

8. What's up with Steven Spielberg

Unbeknown to many, it turns out while Robin Williams was recording for Aladdin he spent a great deal of time conversing with Hook director, Steven Spielberg, via the phone. Spielberg, at the time, was in the middle of production on the much less humorous and much more depressing Schindler's List and his pal Robin Williams provided him with "much needed comedic relief."

9. Abu and the Los Angeles Zoo

Abu may be a fun and frisky character for children to enjoy but he was inspired by real-life monkeys from the Los Angeles zoo! Animators frequented the zoo, which was nearby, while they were developing their designs for the devoted companion of the main character.

At the time, the animation team behind Abu even took the opportunity to video-tape the zoo's community of capuchin monkeys, which helped them better understand how to help Abu swing around as realistically as possible on the big screen! Now that's dedication!

10. Jasmin was Disney's first ever non-European princess

It was a big deal!

Before Disney enchanted our hearts and minds every single one of Disney's princesses were European based (and European looking.) Princess Jasmine, however, was based out of Arabia in the middle east and brought some much needed diversity to Disney's iconic roles.

11. Mickey Mouses's brief appearance

Disney animators sure liked to have fun with their job! In the moment Jafar's final spell lifts it's enchantment from Princess Jasmine and her faithful companion Rajah, in a very brief mid-transformation moment, we get a glimpse of the very symbol of Disney: Mickey Mouse. Yep, Rajah ever so briefly bares a rather uncanny resemblance to the great Mouse. It's so quick you could miss it but once you see it, well... you'll never unsee it!

12. Not the only guest star, of course...

Is Disney a major world or a small world? Well, we're inclined to believe it's a small world after all...

Along with a brief appearance from Mickey Mouse the film also featured quick appearances from other Disney animated favorites such as Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, and even Sebastian from The Little Mermaid! Way to make things fun, Disney!

13. 16 Hours

It's no mystery why Robin Williams is considered a master of comedy. In fact, the actor recorded a whopping extra 16 hours of improvised content for the Genie character! The jokes just kept coming and coming for the comedic genius. What a gift the late actor left behind!

14. Full House

Okay, are you ready for one crazy crossover? Aladdin was voiced by actor Scott Weinger. If his name doesn't ring a bell, he happens to have played Steve Hale, DJ Tanner's boyfriend from the ever-so-popular 90's family sitcom Full House! If that isn't awesome enough, the actor made a cameo dressed as Aladdin in a Full House episode that was shot in Disney World! How cool is that?

15. Evil begets evil...

Jafar was definitely modeled after another iconic Disney villain: Maleficent. Andreas Deja's design for the classic villain known as Jafar very clearly closely parallels both the animation and personality quirks of the great villain Maleficent from the 1959 animated classic Sleepy Beauty.

To be more specific, they both have a bird companion, they both transform into enormous and creepy reptiles, they both carry staffs, and they both specialize in evil magic. They're practically twins.

16. 513 Individuals worked on Aladdin

That's a lot of employees for one movie.

Hey, you don't have to take our word for it. You can watch the credits for the movie and count each and every name and you'll find an impressive 513 different individuals all played their parts in making this magic happen.

17. Princess Magic

Princess Jasmine and Mulan were both voiced by the same actress.

The beautiful voices that sang some of our favorite Disney tunes from both Princess Jasmine and Mulan were all from the same lovely singer, Lea Salonga. If you're not super sure who she is you may recognize her from her more recent work on the CW's musical sitcom "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" where she plays Aunt Myrna. I bet you'll never look at her the same...

18. Let's talk Oscars

While Aladdin won an impressive TWO Oscars, they were disqualified from winning any others for "improv!" If it wasn't for how much content Robin Williams improvised as he went along the dialog, the script may have contended for Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. We aren't complaining though, Robin Williams is the best, even if the Oscars didn't want to nod at Aladdin just one more time because of his creative flares.

19. Money Talks

Earning $217 million in the United States and $504 million worldwide, Aladdin got to walk away as 1992's top movie earner!

20. And another record broken..

Aladdin's financial success being the first animated movie to gross over $200,000,000 quite literally paved the way for other animated films from The Lion King to Frozen and even Zootopia, all of which broke box office records after Aladdin led the way.

21. They said, "nah."

Famous film critics Siskel and Ebert turned down the opportunity to have cameos in Aladdin!

Prince Achmed, Jasmine's "original" suitor was supposed to get a thumbs down from Siskel and Ebert. Well, that's what Disney wanted, but when the critics turned down the opportunity the film's writers/directors, Ron Clements and John Musker, just went ahead and added their own likenesses to the scene instead! Oh well, we wonder if the critics regretted that?

22. Aladdin's Mom

Aladdin originally had a mother in the movie and the pair were even set to sing a song together called "Proud of Your Boy." Of course as the creative process continued on the concept and the song were removed from the script and movie. 

Elana